Reds look to continue perfect start to the season at Old Trafford

With two victories and two clean sheets so far, the new season could not have started better for Arne Slot and his side. Next up is Sunday’s trip down the M62 to face Manchester United FC at Old Trafford.

Arne Slot has started life as Liverpool FC’s new head coach as he means to go on, with two victories from two in the Premier League, and the Dutchman is already feeling the love from the Anfield faithful ahead of Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United FC.

Slot’s first home game in charge of the Reds saw plenty of attacking fluency and a resolute defence, with goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah sealing a 2-0 win over Brentford FC at the weekend.

When he was asked for his assessment of the game, Slot replied: “Positive for many reasons. I think Brentford showed last week with their first goal, but in general also in their first game that they can play out from the back really good.

“They tried to do this here as well, sometimes it worked better than other moments but they are also really threatening on the counter-attack and they are obviously a big threat on set-pieces, and I think the only threat they had today was the set-piece where Alisson [Becker] saved us in the second half.

“It was also pleasing to see that from their set-piece we could score our first goal.”

That was a goal straight from the Jürgen Klopp playbook, with Salah winning the ball from a Brentford corner and Jota racing away to play in Diaz.

Salah’s cool second half finish - his second successive goal after a similar effort against Ipswich Town FC - sealed all three points in front of a delighted Kop.

The club’s fans are already taking Slot to their hearts.

“The reception of the fans was similar to the reception I got from all the people in and around the AXA [Training Centre] and the people who are working for Liverpool,” added the new boss.

“So, I think I cannot speak for all of the managers, but I think maybe all of them would tell you the same: every manager that comes in here feels the warmth of this club, feels the appreciation of the fans, and the most important thing we have to do as managers is to make sure the team plays in a style that the fans like to see.

“That’s what we are trying and I think the boys showed that, and the fans showed their appreciation for that, I think.”

Alexis Mac Allister spoke of the importance of his side’s 100 per cent start to the season, particularly given the trip down the M62 to face Erik Ten Hag’s side on Sunday.

“We know that against Man United it's a derby, it's a really important game for the club and for us,” insisted the club’s No.10.

"We will prepare during the week and we will do our best to win that game."

Mac Allister was pleased with his side’s performance against the Bees but knows that nobody in Slot’s squad can afford to rest on their laurels.

"We know that there is still room for improvement,” added the Argentine World Cup winner.

“I think we are in a transition because sometimes we should be patient but instead we are quite direct, let's say.

"But we are in that transition [and] I think everyone is happy and working very hard to get into Arne's idea."

Ibrahima Konaté, meanwhile, is aiming big this season.

The French centre-half made his first start of the season against Brentford and was his usual imposing self, alongside Virgil van Dijk.

"I'm happy and I have to show what I like to do because I think a lot of people forgot what I did last season and in the games before," the No.5 said.

"Now I have to show that I am ready this season to be the best and I hope to be one of the best defenders in the world this season."

Konaté also paid tribute to the extraordinary consistency of Salah, who now has 128 goal contributions (93 goals, 35 assists) for the Reds at Anfield.

"This guy is crazy! I'm a very big fan of Mo," Konate concluded. "It's crazy, every season it's always the same story. Even when he goes to the Africa Cup [of Nations] he has a lot of goals. I don't understand how he does that really.

"He's a big inspiration for me because I saw it every day how he works and I want to be like him."

Finally, Sunday’s game will see Liverpool FC wear their new Nike 2024-25 third kit for the first time this season.

The new jersey, shorts and socks feature a distinct vertical double Swoosh, which is a representation of the growing importance of the women’s game in world sport.

"I love the kit; I think it's different, especially with the Swoosh and what it represents. It's also still got the Liverpool red in it, and I can't wait to wear it,” said LFC Women star Taylor Hinds.

Men’s team left-back Andy Robertson added: "I really like it; I like the colour and the detail on the shirt, especially with the Swoosh going up, which is a bit different. It's signifying the rise of the women's game and we're a big part of it to try to help that."

The kit is available to pre-order at our online store, the LFC Store app and at club stores (locate your nearest store here).